Shocks & Struts Repair in North Royalton Ohio
How do I know if my vehicle really needs new shock absorbers?
If your car doesn’t ride like it used to, your shocks and struts might be to blame. At Auto Service Specialists in North Royalton, OH, we specialize in suspension services that help restore a smooth, safe ride. From excessive bouncing to nose-diving during braking, our expert technicians are here to help.
How do I know if my vehicle really needs new shock absorbers?
You need new shocks (and/or struts) if your original shocks (or struts) are worn out, damaged or leaking. Leaking is easy enough to see (just look for oil or wetness on the outside of the shock or strut) as is damage (broken mount, badly dented housing, etc.).
Wear, however, is often more subjective. Even if your shocks aren’t visibly leaking or broken, they might not be up to the task anymore. In some cases, upgrading the suspension may be recommended for towing, hauling, or improving handling.
Shocks and struts don’t follow a strict replacement schedule, but they do wear out over time. Some may weaken after 30,000 to 40,000 miles, while struts often last up to 50,000 or 60,000 miles.
Signs You Might Need New Shocks or Struts
One way to evaluate your need for new shocks or struts is to consider how your car has been handling and riding lately. Ask yourself:
- Does it bounce excessively when driving on rough roads or after hitting a bump?
- Does the nose dip when braking?
- Does the body roll or sway excessively when cornering or driving in crosswinds?
- Does the suspension bottom out when backing out of the driveway or when hauling extra passengers or weight?
Try the Bounce Test
Push down hard on your vehicle’s bumper and let go. If it continues to bounce more than once or twice, your shocks or struts are likely worn out and need replacing.
Why Should You Replace Shocks and Struts?
Weak shocks and struts won’t necessarily create a driving hazard if you continue to drive on them, but there are studies that show worn shocks increase the distance it takes to stop a vehicle on a rough surface. Increased body sway due to weak shocks or struts can also increase the risk of skidding on wet or slick surfaces.
Worn shocks and struts also increase suspension wear (though marginally) but can have an effect on tire wear. If routine wheel alignments don’t seem to solve the problem with tire wear, you may want to look at the shocks and struts.
The reason why most people decide to have worn shocks or struts replaced, however, is to improve overall ride quality. If you’re sick of bouncing and rocking on rough roads, a new set of shocks or struts will firm up your suspension and restore proper ride control.
Performance and Heavy-Duty Options
If you’re interested in performance handling, you can upgrade to premium “gas” charged options. These are charged with high pressure nitrogen gas to help minimize foaming in the hydraulic fluid inside the shock. This lessens “fade” on rough roads and helps the vehicle maintain better ride control when cornering.
There are also “heavy-duty” replacement shocks and struts that have larger diameter pistons than stock. These too, provide increased resistance for greater control — but may be a little too harsh for everyday driving. Some shocks have special valving or adjustable valving that allows the amount of resistance to vary.
Another option to consider if you tow a trailer or haul extra cargo are overload or air-assist shocks. Overload shocks have a coil spring around them to increase the load carrying capacity of the suspension (these also tend to ride stiffer than standard replacement shocks). Air-assist shocks have an adjustable air bladder that acts like a spring to carry extra weight. With this type of shock, air can be added on an “as needed” basis when hauling extra weight.a professional replace your struts.
Shock Replacement and Auto Repair
Shocks and struts are generally replaced in pairs — though this isn’t absolutely necessary if only one shock or strut is leaking or has suffered damage at a low mileage.
Most struts require a fair amount of suspension disassembly as they are integrated with the vehicle’s steering and support systems. What’s more, the wheels must usually be realigned after replacing a strut. For this reason, you’re probably better off letting a professional replace your struts.
Should I Replace My Shocks & Struts?
When North Royalton, OH, drivers think about routine maintenance, what usually comes to mind is oil changes, fluid checks, and brake repairs. We don’t generally think about our shocks or struts, but they are an important part of auto repair that helps keep our tires on the road.
Vehicle owners in North Royalton, OH, don’t think about shocks as often as oil changes because shocks and struts last a long time and wear out slowly. They don’t need to be checked as often as our brake pads or air filters. By the time your shocks have fifty thousand miles on them, their performance will have noticeably degraded. If you want to restore the handling and ride designed for your car, start by replacing your shocks and struts.
Of course, if you drive off-road around North Royalton, OH, carry heavy loads, tow a trailer, or put in a lot of mileage on poor driving surfaces, your shocks or struts will wear out more quickly. You’ll need to replace them more often or upgrade to better shocks.
When to Schedule Auto Repair
If you’re unsure whether you need new shocks, or if you’re considering upgrading to a higher quality shock, then consult with your friendly and knowledgeable Auto Service Specialists service advisor. They can give you auto advice on the condition of your shocks and how to match your driving needs to the quality of your shocks.
At Auto Service Specialists we know good car care is essential to the safety, performance and efficiency of your vehicle. It can improve the comfort of your ride as well. We are dedicated to providing our customers with reliable services from experienced technicians.
Contact us today to learn more or set an appointment. We proudly serve drivers throughout North Royalton, Ohio, and the surrounding area.
